Abstract: A method to be performed by a receiving apparatus for decoding an encoded bitstream representing a sequence of pictures of a video stream is provided. In the method, capabilities relating to level of decoding parallelism for the decoder are identified, a parameter indicative of the decoder's capabilities relating to level of decoding parallelism is kept, and for a set of levels of decoding parallelism, information relating to HEVC profile and HEVC level that the decoder is capable of decoding is kept. A method for encoding a bitstream representing a sequence of pictures of a video stream is also provided. In the method, a parameter is received from a transmitting apparatus that should decode the encoded bitstream.

Abstract: Operating a receiver communication device during a real time communication session including a real time media content data stream provided by another communication device may include receiving the real time media content data stream of the communication session from the other communication device wherein packets of the real time media content data stream include an identification of the real time media content data stream. A pause request may be transmitted from the receiver communication device to the other communication device with the pause request including the identification of the real time media content data stream and a pause request sequence number. After transmitting the pause request, a pause acknowledge message may be received from the other communication device with the pause acknowledge message including the identification of the real time media content data stream and the pause request sequence number. Related devices and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A multimedia provider (100) generates, based on a request for a media channel from a user terminal (10), a session set-up description that is returned to the user terminal (10). The description defines, when processed in the terminal (10), a session window (20) that is displayed on a screen (12) of the terminal and comprises a region (22) for displaying media data of a requested channel and a channel region (24) comprising information on alternative available media channels. The description also defines a binding between user inputs (14) of the terminal (10) and identifiers of the alternative channels. The set-up description allows for a user-friendly channel switch by automatically transmitting a channel switch request to the multimedia provider (100) upon a triggering of the user input (14) that is associated with the identifier of the requested media channel. The description, thus, provides a visually appealing graphical interface and simultaneously allows for a user-friendly media channel switch.

Abstract: A Mixer and a Method for providing media streams towards a plurality of endpoints, the media streams originating from one or more media source(s). Within the method at least a first request set of a first endpoint of said plurality of endpoints and a second request set of a second endpoint of said plurality of endpoints are received, whereby a request set comprises information relating to at least a subset of one or more codec parameters, and whereby a request set pertains to a media stream, whereby said first request set and said second request set pertain to a same media content. The received first request set and second request set are aggregated into an aggregated request set pertaining to a first media source. Thereafter one or more media stream(s) according to said aggregated request set are requested from said first media source.

Abstract: Operating a receiver communication device during a real time communication session including a real time media content data stream provided by another communication device may include receiving the real time media content data stream of the communication session from the other communication device wherein packets of the real time media content data stream include an identification of the real time media content data stream. A pause request may be transmitted from the receiver communication device to the other communication device with the pause request including the identification of the real time media content data stream and a pause request sequence number. After transmitting the pause request, a pause acknowledge message may be received from the other communication device with the pause acknowledge message including the identification of the real time media content data stream and the pause request sequence number. Related devices and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A stream (1) of media frames (12-16, 22-26, 32-36) is generated by providing multiple media frames (22-26) having respective assigned default timestamps (40) defining rendering times of the media data of the media frames (22-26) according to a default rendering time schedule. Respective alternative timestamps (50) are assigned to at least a portion of the media frames (22-26). These alternative timestamps (50) define alternative rendering times of the media data of the media frames (22-26) according to an alternative rendering time schedule. The alternative timestamps (50) can be used for providing an efficient media rendering when tuning in to the stream (1) at an intermediate position of a frame grouping (20) of the media frames (22-26) thereby missing some of the media frames (22, 24) of the frame grouping (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a transmitting apparatus for encoding a bitstream representing a sequence of pictures of a video stream comprising a processor and memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said transmitting apparatus is operative to: send a syntax element, wherein a value of the syntax element is indicative of restrictions that are enforced on the bitstream in a way that guarantees a certain level of parallelism for decoding the bitstream.

Abstract: In a method for transmitting a multimedia presentation comprising a number of media objects: the media objects are organized in a multimedia container or container format; identifiers referring to the media objects are organized in the same container; and an identifiable file coordinating the media objects is also provided in the container.

Abstract: A basic idea for efficient media communication between two nodes in a group communication system is to set up a number, N, of parallel, separate media streams of the same media type in a given direction between the nodes, where N is equal to or greater than 2. Before setting up the media streams, the actual number of media streams is negotiated (S1). Once the negotiation is completed, the media streams are established (S2). Media data of the same type can then be transferred in parallel, media streams (S3), where each media stream may include media data from a separate source or from a mix of sources. In this way, a richer and/or more personalized rendering of the media data is enabled since media data may be transported as individual media streams and processed locally in a participant, rather than processed and mixed into a single stream by a central mixer.

Abstract: The media session management of the invention encompasses a media server having access to multiple unicast-based media channels and a user terminal. The user terminal generates and transmits a generic, channel-transparent session request to the server. This request initiates a generic, channel-transparent media session setup procedure between the terminal and the server. The setup procedure involves exchange of requests and responses but no media channel is yet selected or notified at the server. Once the channel-transparent setup has been completed, the user terminal transmits a channel-specific rendering request for a desired media channel to the server. In a subsequent channel switch, the terminal simply transmits a new channel-specific request for a new channel to the server during the ongoing session and reusing the negotiated transport parameters of the channel-transparent setup procedure.

Abstract: The media session management of the invention encompasses a media server having access to multiple unicast-based media channels and a user terminal. The user terminal generates and transmits a generic, channel-transparent session request to the server. This request initiates a generic, channel-transparent media session setup procedure between the terminal and the server. The setup procedure involves exchange of requests and responses but no media channel is yet selected or notified at the server. Once the channel-transparent setup has been completed, the user terminal transmits a channel-specific rendering request for a desired media channel to the server. In a subsequent channel switch, the terminal simply transmits a new channel-specific request for a new channel to the server during the ongoing session and reusing the negotiated transport parameters of the channel-transparent setup procedure.

Abstract: The invention teaches a media container file comprising media data organized into media source blocks. Forward error correction (FEC) redundancy data is pre-calculated for the different source blocks and organized into the container file as different FEC reservoirs. The container file also comprises meta data providing an association between the media source blocks and the respective FEC reservoirs. The container file can be employed by a media server in a media session for compiling media data packets to be transmitted to requesting clients without the need of extensive data processing and FEC calculation.

Abstract: The invention teaches a media container file comprising media data organized into media source blocks. The media source blocks are partitioned into source symbols that can be processed by a forward error correction (FEC) algorithm for generation of FEC redundancy data. Information of this source block partitioning is included in the file in addition to the source blocks. The container file also comprises meta data providing an association between the media source blocks and the partitioning information. The container file can be employed by a media server in a media session for compiling media data packets to be transmitted to requesting clients without the need of extensive data processing before calculating FEC data.

Abstract: In a method for transmitting a multimedia presentation comprising a number of media objects: the media objects are organized in a multimedia container or container format; identifiers referring to the media objects are organized in the same container; and an identifiable file coordinating the media objects is also provided in the container.

Abstract: In a method for transmitting a multimedia presentation comprising a number of media objects: the media objects are organized in a multimedia container or container format; identifiers referring to the media objects are organized in the same container; and an identifiable file coordinating the media objects is also provided in the container.

Abstract: A stream (1) of media frames (12-16, 22-26, 32-36) is generated by providing multiple media frames (22-26) having respective assigned default timestamps (40) defining rendering times of the media data of the media frames (22-26) according to a default rendering time schedule. Respective alternative timestamps (50) are assigned to at least a portion of the media frames (22-26). These alternative timestamps (50) define alternative rendering times of the media data of the media frames (22-26) according to an alternative rendering time schedule. The alternative timestamps (50) can be used for providing an efficient media rendering when tuning in to the stream (1) at an intermediate position of a frame grouping (20) of the media frames (22-26) thereby missing some of the media frames (22, 24) of the frame grouping (20).

Abstract: The media session management of the invention encompasses a media server having access to multiple unicast-based media channels and a user terminal. The user terminal generates and transmits a generic, channel-transparent session request to the server. This request initiates a generic, channel-transparent media session setup procedure between the terminal and the server. The setup procedure involves exchange of requests and responses but no media channel is yet selected or notified at the server. Once the channel-transparent setup has been completed, the user terminal transmits a channel-specific rendering request for a desired media channel to the server. In a subsequent channel switch, the terminal simply transmits a new channel-specific request for a new channel to the server during the ongoing session and reusing the negotiated transport parameters of the channel-transparent setup procedure.

Abstract: A basic idea for efficient media communication between two nodes in a group communication system is to set up a number, N, of parallel, separate media streams of the same media type in a given direction between the nodes, where N is equal to or greater than 2. Before setting up the media streams, the actual number of media streams is negotiated (S1). Once the negotiation is completed, the media streams are established (S2). Media data of the same type can then be transferred in parallel, media streams (S3), where each media stream may include media data from a separate source or from a mix of sources. In this way, a richer and/or more personalized rendering of the media data is enabled since media data may be transported as individual media streams and processed locally in a participant, rather than processed and mixed into a single stream by a central mixer.

Abstract: The invention teaches a media container file comprising media data organized into media source blocks. Forward error correction (FEC) redundancy data is pre-calculated for the different source blocks and organized into the container file as different FEC reservoirs. The container file also comprises meta data providing an association between the media source blocks and the respective FEC reservoirs. The container file can be employed by a media server in a media session for compiling media data packets to be transmitted to requesting clients without the need of extensive data processing and FEC calculation.

Abstract: The invention teaches a media container file comprising media data organized into media source blocks. The media source blocks are partitioned into source symbols that can be processed by a forward error correction (FEC) algorithm for generation of FEC redundancy data. Information of this source block partitioning is included in the file in addition to the source blocks. The container file also comprises meta data providing an association between the media source blocks and the partitioning information. The container file can be employed by a media server in a media session for compiling media data packets to be transmitted to requesting clients without the need of extensive data processing before calculating FEC data.